Lehigh University and Boston College

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

They are both my top schools, would applying early help my chances? And what are my chances? Thanks!
GPA UW: 3.8 (4.0 scale)
W: 4.3

Class Rank:
Top 15% of 500

ACT: Composite 29
English 29
Math 30
Reading 30
Science 27
Writing 22

Subject Tests:
U.S. History 670
Chemistry 650
Math 1 630
Literature 700

EC’s:
H.S. soccer for three years and varsity for one year
FBLA member for one year, then elected as Vice President for one year, and then promoted to President
Innovation and Economics member for two years
DECA member for two years
Full Court Peace member for two years
Volunteer head soccer coach for 3 years for the same team. Around 140-160 hours of it.
Referee for boy’s basketball for two years.
.
Work Experience:
Worked in a soccer shop freshman year, was promoted to manager as well.
Worked in a Concession stand for freshman and sophomore year
Worked as a summer camp counselor for soccer for freshman and sophomore year summers
Currently working all year and summer long at a after School program and Summer Camp. Recently got promoted to head counselor.
Babysitter for three years for the same family

Rigor of Courses:
7 honor classes by end of Junior year. Also I am taking French IV Honors, English III Honors, APUSH, and Chemistry Honors.
Senior Course Load will be AP Environmental, AP Psychology, AP Gov Poll, English Honors and some other non-honors or AP prerequisites.

Awards
National Honors Society (Most likely got the invitation)
2nd Place for Information Systems Management for FBLA in the state
4th Place for Marketing for FBLA in the state

High Honors (3.7+) for every quarter so far, and will most likely accomplish high honors for my entire high school career.

Intended Major:
Finance

Any guidance and information would be a tremendous help. Thanks!

2

I’m also applying to Lehigh - with a 3.4 GPA and 30 ACT (It’s my reach.) From the research I’ve done, you have a pretty good chance there… Especially if you visit.

If one of the Lehigh admissions officers visits this thread I’d be interested in their opinion.

3

@i34160 How is Lehigh a reach for you, when you have higher ACT score than me? Also applying early decision improves chances, that’s what I am doing.

4

Because my GPA is sucky

5

I would try to do some studying and get your ACT score up because it’s a little bit low for both schools.

6

@Roxbury_resident Would visiting three times and applying early decision make up for my lower ACT score and boost my chances of admission?

7

You look like you have a lot of extracurriculars under your belt plus pretty good ACT scores. However, like other people have said above, try to get that GPA up…I actually had a 4.8 GPA when I applied and I still got waitlisted. I don’t remember if they asked you for which other schools you are applying to, but if they see that Lehigh might be a safety school/you are over qualified, they will waitlist you, same as other schools. My dad was an alum as well so I am not sure how I got waitlisted, whether it was over qualification or really not enough spots. But if Lehigh is one of your top choices, definitely show them that you are interested by visiting campus/talking with a representative.

8

@thrainbow Did you apply regular decision? And if so, would applying early decision help me get in? Thanks.

9

Applying EA to BC is likely not going to give you an advantage. You will likely get deferred. Applying ED to Lehigh may give you a boost. BC tends to take high scores in the early round. Lehigh likes kids who demonstrated interest and so ED can help there

10

Thanks @wisteria100 In terms of Lehigh, do you think I would be deferred if I applied early decision?

11

I think you would have a pretty good shot at Lehigh ED, especially since you are not applying for engineering

12

@wisteria100 Thanks for your input.

13

If you are not 100% sold on either of these schools over the other, then I think ED is a bad idea. What if you changed your mind? You’d be stuck, unless you could wiggle out of the commitment due to insufficient FA.

I think if you like both, apply to both. I think EA does give you a bit of an advantage in that it expresses above-average interest and gives your app a second chance (usually…) if you’re not chosen in the EA round. And it’s non-binding, of course, so you can still apply to multiple schools and choose from among them.

If you are accepted to both, visit them and really try to figure out which suits you better. Both are good schools, and you could probably be fine at either, but still try to find the better fit.

And make sure you don’t just apply to these two, as neither is a gimme (obviously). Try to line up a few matches and at least one safety. Make it so that you like and could afford to attend each school to which you apply.

14

@prezbucky Sorry for the confusion with the title, but Lehigh is my number 1, while BC is my number 2. Therefore in applying early I would apply ED to Lehigh and EA to BC. Do you think that if I apply ED to Lehigh would I be admitted or boost my chances? Thanks

15

I applied RD and I am sure that if you apply early decision, you will have a good chance of getting in. Is this your top choice?

16

@thrainbow Yeah, Lehigh is my definite top choice. I have already visited once, and will visit again later this summer. .

17

ED would boost your chances at Lehigh, yes. If you’re sure it’s your #1 and you can afford it (run the NPC and talk to your folks if you haven’t…), then go for it. I had been under the impression that they were vying for your top spot, but if you’re already sure, then ED is okay.

18

awesome, good luck in your application process!

19

@thrainbow Thanks for your input.

20

@prezbucky What do you mean when you said
“I had been under the impression that they were vying for your top spot, but if you’re already sure, then ED is okay.” Thanks